Jeremy Hunt says if the trend continues then being obese could become the norm

“It’s not a record that we can be proud of as a country and it’s why we have to change things.”

He insists the only way to beat the flab is a combination of diet and exercise.

But parents need support to help conquer the twin perils of cheap junk food and the internet.

More than half of children spend seven hours a day on their backsides on screens instead of playing outside.

NHS campaign video to tackle child obesity

Mr Hunt added: “They’re at school between nine and 3.30 and go to bed at nine or ten so they’re spending the vast chunk of their spare time sedentary.

“In the 1970s and 80s, youngsters did their socialising down the street. Today they do their socialising online – and like junk food, it’s highly addictive.

“We’ve got to do something about this. That’s why we want schools to play a part in getting pupils in the habit of exercising regularly.”

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Mr Hunt who runs up to six miles, three times a week, said he wants to help parents to help their kids.
“It’s all too easy to blame parents,” he said. “It’s about parental responsibility.

“We’re not going to halve childhood obesity through government action alone. We can do a few things to help raise awareness but in the end parents have to take responsibility for the health of their children.

“So part of this is helping parents to understand how critical their role is.”